Let me know how that works for you. When I hit my bird, it happened so fast, there was no time to react. It was like, "Bir" BAM! I'm not sure I even got the "r" out before the impact. Lucky for me it was small and only scratched the paint a little.Always pull up, if reasonable, (conflict near the Same altitude.) Birds will dive when in flight conflict.
I did this with mine for the same reason (white and dark blue) and I'm not sure it made any difference.i am ready to paint my spinner 2/3 black. bird strikes seem to be a major concern. if i don't notice any different reactions from the birds so be it. most of the birds in the 'danger zone' don't seem to react much. time will tell.
Let me know how that works for you. When I hit my bird, it happened so fast, there was no time to react. It was like, "Bir" BAM! I'm not sure I even got the "r" out before the impact. Lucky for me it was small and only scratched the paint a little.
I understand what you are saying. My -6 had a half inch dent on the left wing from a bird strike. No time to react to a flash. That is why I said, "if reasonable." After much research: if you have time pull up, because birds will dive.
We don't have to fly at RV cruise speeds all the time. I start pulling the power back in increments 20 nm/7 min out depending on height above field elevation. Your engine, other planes and birds will appreciate it.
Birds are good at thermaling - I wish I were half as good as they are! It's not unusual to see prey birds at and above 5,000 AGL here in Texas in the summer, and little birds will also get above 3,000 sometimes.I prefer to fly at or above 3000' when flying during the bird-season.
When I fly aerobatics, I set the floor to 5000'.
Birds are good at thermaling - I wish I were half as good as they are! It's not unusual to see prey birds at and above 5,000 AGL here in Texas in the summer, and little birds will also get above 3,000 sometimes.
TODR
True; I was more thinking of lone birds. Geese tend to stick together and are easier to spot. On the downside, there are more targets5,000? Try 10,000 ft. and above especially migrating geese.
Exactly. Plenty of birds out there at low/medium piston cruise altitudes, whether you expect them or not (much like the Spanish Inquisition ).Per FAA Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft Report: 92% of bird strikes occur below 3000 agl .....
Let me know how that works for you. When I hit my bird, it happened so fast, there was no time to react. It was like, "Bir" BAM! I'm not sure I even got the "r" out before the impact. Lucky for me it was small and only scratched the paint a little.
...if lights could be found/used that had different chromatic characteristics which might be more easily seen by our avian friends...